Microsoft Gestures Beta App Released for Lumia Windows Phone; Allows Users to Manage Calls More Naturally

Microsoft has just released its new Gestures Beta app for Lumia Windows Phones, which would enable users to perform more gestures for certain phone functions. While a few "3D Touch" gestures are scheduled to be released with a second update to Windows Phone 8.1 this year, Microsoft has set aside its update plans and is currently providing some of the gestures instead as a separate download.

Since the app is still in its initial release, it still needs to be refined so Windows Phone users would appreciate it better. For now, here are some of the supported gestures.

•                    Answer a call by putting the phone to the ear;

•                    Mute the mic during a call by placing the phone with the display facing down on a flat surface;

•                    Put the call on loudspeaker mode by placing the phone with the display facing up on a flat surface; and

•                    Silence an incoming call by flipping phone with the display down

Each of the gestures can be enabled or disabled. However, Microsoft released a note that the app still has its limitations on certain models, such as the Lumia 630, Lumia 635, and Lumia 530.

Microsoft is working on additional gestures for Windows Phone that allow owners to interact with their devices even without touching the display. Of course, they’re not going to abandon the idea of putting additional 3D touch features in Windows Phone 10, along with MixView that enables users to hover over a Live Tile and turn into a number of small sections related to a particular app.

Since Gesture Beta is still on its Beta phase, there are gestures that would have to be integrated to the Windows Phone 10 platform. Furthermore, Microsoft is open for any early feedbacks from individual testers and big companies before they could finally release the mobile OS next year.